Texas Workforce Commission presents $332,000 for aerospace training
Mr. Bryan Daniel, chairman and commissioner representing the public for the Texas Workforce Commission, presented BayTech, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, and San Jacinto College with a check for more than $332,000 to fund a grant for aerospace technician training. This is the second round of funding from the Texas Workforce Commission for this type of aerospace technician training.
The primary objective of this grant is to train unemployed people as certified aerospace technicians in one of the following three tracts: electrical, composite, or structural technicians. Then it will facilitate their placement directly into the workforce. The goal of this grant is to provide a pipeline of trained technician employees to the aerospace manufacturing industries and companies in the Houston region.
“The success of the EDGE Center has come in no small part through our external partnerships,” said Dr. Brenda Hellyer, San Jacinto College Chancellor. "Funding like this grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to further our training offerings reaches far beyond our students to the future of the aerospace industry. A skilled workforce is critical to the success of the Houston Spaceport and the aerospace industries that support it, and we understand our role in providing the next generation of aerospace technicians. We are incredibly grateful to have a community, board, and industry that back our vision for our aerospace technician programs and thank Chairman Daniel and the Texas Workforce Commission for their support of our institution and our region.”
Following successful completion of the electrical, composite, or structural technician training, students will receive a completion certificate from the San Jacinto College EDGE Center, then sit for a nationally recognized certification exam as either an aerospace electrical technician, an aerospace composite technician, or an aerospace structures technician as administered through CertTEC®.
To date, 30 students have completed and been awarded their credential through CertTEC®, with another 50 expected to complete under this grant.
“Texas continues to increase the talent pipeline for the aerospace workforce with highly skilled and trained individuals, ensuring Texas continues to lead the nation for workforce development,” Daniel said. “I applaud BayTech and the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership for creating regional affiliations that support the aerospace and other industries and to San Jacinto College for continuing to step up to meet the needs of all of the industries in Southeast Texas.”
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is one of the top five community colleges in the nation as designated by the Aspen Institute, and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. The College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, serving approximately 41,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA and Aa2 by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.
